2011 Toyota TACOMA: complaints, problems and recalls

MY 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA 7188 IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN WINDY CONDITIONS. AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS (70MPH) IT LOOSES DIRECTIONAL STABILITY DURING WINDY CONDITIONS. MY 2006 TACOMA 7114 WAS SOLID AS A ROCK IN ANY CONDITIONS. I FEEL THAT THE HEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSES WIND TO RAISE THE VEHICLE EVER SO SLIGHT CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVABILITY SITUATION. SADLY I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS MY 12TH TOYOTA OF WHICH 6 HAVE BEEN TACOMAS. IT IS MY VERY WORST NIGHTMARE TO DRIVE. I FEAR MY ONLY OPTION IS TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10382712 at NHTSA ↗

2011 TOYOTA TACOMA - BRAKES ARE VERY INCONSISTENT. ONE TIME THEY WORK JUST AS INTENDED AND THE NEXT TIME YOU DEPRESS THE PEDAL, YOU FEEL PRESSURE TRYING TO PUSH THE PEDAL BACK TO YOU AND THE BRAKING IS ENHANCED TO THE POINT THAT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. TOYOTA SAYS THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE BRAKES. IF THIS IS THE CASE TOYOTA HAS A REAL PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395901 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT REAR OF THEM. THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN. THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUCK THEIR HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE REAR PASSENGER STRUCK THEIR HEAD ON THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT. THEY WERE BOTH INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE FURTHER EXAMINED BY A TOYOTA ENGINEER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE SEAT BELTS …

Owner-reported narrative. 386 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407681 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP GRAND TREK TIRES, SIZE P265/65/R17, DOT C8ER2610. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TIRE TREAD HAD SPLIT ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE AND A REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS ORDERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 07/27/11*LJ UPDATED 08/01/11

Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408542 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE WARPED GLAZED ROTORS AND DRUMS AT A VERY LOW MILEAGE, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS AND DRUMS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED AN IDENTICAL FAILURE WITH THE TRADED 2010 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VE…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417024 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY WHILE DOWNSHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SHAKING WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT AGREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422630 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL AFTER ACCELERATING FROM STOPS. AFTER STALLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART ON ITS OWN AND RESUME AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.

Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424042 at NHTSA ↗

ON 10/1/2011 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT, SLIGHT CURVE, PU BEEP IN DASH AS IT WENT INTO ONCOMING LANE TO LEFT QUICK, I HIT BRAKES "CLUNK" TOOK BOTH HANDS TO PULL TO RIGHT AND OFF THE ROAD. FELT LIKE POWER STEERING WENT OR LOST A WHEEL. WOULD OF HIT SOMEONE HEAD ON IF WAS MEETING A CAR OR TRUCK. NO CELL SERVICE, SO DECIDED TO SLOWLY TURN AROUND, AND TRY TO GET HOME==1 MI. OR LESS. PARKED. CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TOWED, BUT IF THEY FIND NOTHING I HAVE TO PAY. I DROVE UP TUES., THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. PROBABLY LEVEL…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10429247 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2011-03-04 (March 4, 2011)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.

Consequence: FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2013-08-07 (August 7, 2013)

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.

Consequence: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2014-08-04 (August 4, 2014)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Reported: 2017-07-03 (July 3, 2017)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.